OF THE BIRDS OF AFRICA* 



43 



numerous class of birds of prey, which exhibit a different plumage at 

 different periods of age. External forms furnish physical distinctions 

 between the various kinds of animals, and occasion innumerable differ- 

 ences, as well in moral as in physiological character ; and hence it 

 becomes as highly important, in the study of nature, to observe these 

 differences, as those which occur in their internal structure. 



The African eagle, which I have designated the Griffard, is distin- 

 guished, even in this genus of birds, for his strength, courage, and san- 

 guinary weapons. He is nearly equal in size to the Great or Royal 

 Eagle (Aquila aurea, Brisson ;) but he has longer and more muscular 

 legs, and stronger talons. By these characters this bird may be recog- 

 nised in a collection where he may be placed with other eagles, or when 

 on the wing with his legs pendent, while in pursuit of the animals on 

 which he feeds. 



Various species of small gazelles (Antelope) and hares form his 

 ordinary prey. Pouncing upon the former, he kills them with much 

 ease, and in a manner that shows the great strength with which nature 

 has endowed him. His courage is conspicuous in the hatred he shows 

 towards all other birds of prey, which he pursues the instant he per- 

 ceives them. If they offer any resistance he attacks them with ferocity, 

 and obliges them to retreat, never suffering one to remain in the district 

 he has chosen for his domain. It often happens that vultures and ravens? 

 in combined flocks, will lie in wait for some favourable opportunity to 

 carry off an animal which the Griffard may have just subdued ; but the 

 intrepid and fierce aspect which he assumes, is sufficient to keep at a 

 wary distance a whole legion of these ignoble prowlers. 



The Griffard is usually accompanied by his female mate ; indeed they 

 seldom separate, and never fly beyond the boundaries of the domain which 

 they have selected for their abode. They construct their eyry, not 

 hollow, like that of other birds, but flat and platform-like, upon the top 

 of the highest trees, or among steep and inaccessible rocks. The Grif- 

 fard's eyry is so firm and solid, that a man may stand upon it without any 

 apprehension of its giving way ; and, in consequence of this solidity, it 

 serves the same pair for a number of years. The base consists of several 

 strong rafters of different lengths, according to the distance between the 

 forked branches on which they are to rest. These rafters are crossed, 

 and everywhere interlaced with flexible boughs which bind them firmly 

 together ; this forms the foundation for the edifice. Upon this is laid 

 a great quantity of brushwood, moss, dry leaves, ling, and also leaves of 

 liliaceous plants and flags, if such happen to grow in the neighbourhood. 

 This second layer is covered with another consisting of small bits of dry 



